Georgia is a hub for the trucking industry, which means they often line the highways, roaring across Gwinnett County every day and sharing the road with passenger vehicles. Colliding with a truck, even when not at highway speeds, can have devastating results. Not only can they cause severe physical injuries, but they can also traumatize you, leaving you unable to handle everyday life the way you could before the accident.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, posttraumatic stress disorder can occur in people who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. It affects nearly 4% of U.S. adults every year. Each case is unique, and symptoms may vary from minor to severe. PTSD symptoms may linger for weeks or months, becoming progressively worse.

Nightmares

Vivid nightmares that transport you back to the accident can result in sleepless nights. You may wake up screaming or shaking. Some people remember the dreams clearly upon waking. Others have only vague recollections of what occurred during the nightmare but remember the fear and emotional turmoil they cause.

Irritability

After a collision with a semi-truck, you may become irritated more quickly than you did before the crash. This includes having little or no tolerance for things at work. You may snap at your family more easily or become anxious in situations that would not have been an issue in the past.

Depression

Numbness and depression often accompany irritability. Activities that once made you happy give you no joy. You may struggle when trying to engage with others. For many accident survivors, blocking any emotion is a coping mechanism that helps prevent adverse reactions that often include misplaced guilt.

If you suffered catastrophic injuries or experience symptoms from PTSD in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, you might have grounds for a claim. A settlement can help cover medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.